At this year’s British Grand Prix, Northamptonshire Police are running a Smartwater campaign.
The aim: to deter any criminals intent on stealing from Silverstone’s campsites and car parks.
Northants officers, assisted by members of the SmartWater team, will be offering SmartWater’s crime prevention product to race-goers at what the firm calls a significantly reduced rate. The Grand Prix event is expected to attract up to 250,000 people over the weekend (July 7 to 10).
The SmartWater product is painted onto items of value and is almost invisible to the naked eye – but glows under ultraviolet light. The process is modelled on the idea of DNA profiling, with each SmartWater item containing its own unique code. Once dry the solution will remain on items for 100 years and is virtually impossible to remove, it is claimed. Any stolen ‘SmartWatered’ valuables can be analysed to link the thief to a specific crime via the code. Warning labels will be placed on all coded items and around campsites to further deter thieves.
Detective Inspector Tom Thompson, who is heading the crime operation at Silverstone, said: "We are pleased to be able to offer race-goers the opportunity to maximise their protection through SmartWater, which will hopefully act as a powerful deterrent. With the forensic evidence SmartWater can provide, there is a greater chance of the offender being caught and the stolen property recovered – and we hope this will make the would-be burglars think twice before committing their next crime.
"Ultraviolet lamps have been installed in our police base at Silverstone and anyone arrested on suspicion of burglary will be screened to see if SmartWater is present."
To ensure a significant SmartWater presence at this year’s Grand Prix the SmartWater licence will be made available to Silverstone visitors for the discounted price of £25 for a one year licence.
SmartWater Chief Executive, Phil Cleary, said: "When deployed on a large scale, the potent deterrent factor of SmartWater has successfully reduced burglary by up to 84pc in some UK areas and maintains a 100pc conviction rate. We hope that the presence of SmartWater will deter any thieves operating at Silverstone, making this year’s Grand Prix a safe and secure environment for the whole family."
The SmartWater Team are at Silverstone all week and based at the Lichlake Farm Shopping Village, opposite entrance West 4. More information will also be available from the Northamptonshire Police stand, at West Entrance 5 (Grid H7).
